230V vs 24V Festoon Lights: How to Choose for UK, EU and Australian Projects

Choose 24V festoon lights when reducing the voltage on the exposed lighting run is the main priority, especially for temporary displays, public-access areas or sites with a higher risk of accidental contact. Choose 230V when the project needs a simpler mains-powered layout or a longer run, provided a competent installer checks the total load, voltage drop, circuit protection and local rules.

There is no single voltage that is automatically correct for every UK, EU or Australian project. Start with the site risk assessment and the required run length, then confirm the local installation and product-compliance requirements.

230V and 24V at a glance

When 24V is usually the better starting point

A 24V system places extra-low voltage on the festoon string. That makes it a practical starting point for temporary events, hire equipment, public-facing installations and locations where people may be close to the cable or lamp holders.

Australian electrical-safety guidance specifically recommends considering 12V or 24V decorative lighting for outdoor use. The Queensland Electrical Safety Office also reminds buyers that the transformer, connectors and all outdoor components must still be suitable for their location. See its official Christmas lights safety guidance.

The driver is still connected to the mains. It must be correctly rated, positioned and protected, and the 24V cable must be sized for the current and the total distance. A lower string voltage does not remove the need for professional system design.

When 230V is usually the better starting point

A 230V system can simplify longer commercial runs because it carries less current than a 24V system delivering the same power. It can therefore be a practical option for hospitality terraces, streetscape projects, building outlines and other permanent installations when a suitable protected mains circuit is available.

For UK workplaces, the Health and Safety Executive says equipment must match the supply and recommends considering an RCD, especially outdoors or in wet locations. It also states that RCD protection is a secondary control, not a substitute for suitable equipment and a safe installation. See the HSE guidance on electrically powered equipment and its introduction to electrical safety.

Do not choose 230V only because a catalogue states a maximum length. The installer must calculate the lamp wattage, current, voltage drop, protective device, connection method and environmental exposure for the actual layout.

What changes between the UK, EU and Australia?

United Kingdom

UK commercial projects commonly use a 230V mains supply, but outdoor equipment and installations must be selected through a site-specific risk assessment. Check the supply, RCD arrangement, plug or termination method, cable support and access for inspection. Electrical work should be completed or verified by a competent person.

European Union

For the EU market, the Low Voltage Directive applies to electrical equipment rated from 50 to 1,000V AC. A 230V festoon product falls within that voltage range; the 24V output side does not, but the mains-powered driver remains subject to the applicable requirements. The official scope is set out in Directive 2014/35/EU on EUR-Lex.

Compliance must be checked for the exact product model and supplied configuration. A component report should not be presented as evidence for a different model or for the complete installed system.

Australia

Standards Australia states that the nominal household voltage is 230V and identifies AS/NZS 3000 as the Wiring Rules used for electrical installations. Its overview is available in Standards Australia’s electrical-safety summary.

Electrical equipment and installation rules are administered by Australian states and territories. ERAC advises suppliers and contractors to confirm the requirements with the regulator in the jurisdiction where the equipment will be sold or installed. See ERAC’s equipment-safety overview.

A practical selection process

1. Classify the site. Is it permanent or temporary? Will the public be able to touch or reach the lighting?
2. Map the complete system. Include the supply, driver, plugs, connectors, branch points, lamp holders and end terminations.
3. Calculate the load. Add the wattage of every lamp and keep the driver and circuit within their rated capacity.
4. Check voltage drop. Use the actual cable size, current and total circuit length, including return paths where applicable.
5. Confirm outdoor protection. Do not describe the whole system using the highest IP rating of one component.
6. Verify the exact model documents. Match the model number and voltage to the available test reports before making a compliance statement.
7. Have the installation approved locally. Use a competent electrician or electrical contractor and follow the rules of the project jurisdiction.

WENDADECO specification notes

For the standard 230V flat-cable families, available conductor sizes are 2×1.5 and 2×2.5 mm². Standard 230V round-cable families use 2×1.0 or 2×1.5 mm². The applicable WD-FC-24V family uses 2×1.5 mm² cable with a matching 24V driver.

The standard commercial order MOQ is 1,000 pieces. Sample lead time is normally 7–10 days, and bulk production is normally 30 days after specifications and order details are confirmed.

Frequently asked questions

Are 24V festoon lights automatically safe outdoors?

No. The lower voltage on the string reduces one part of the electrical risk, but the driver, connectors, cable, plugs, terminations and installation conditions must all be suitable. The driver input is still connected to the mains supply.

Is a WENDADECO 24V festoon system completely IP67?

No. For the applicable WD-FC-24V configuration, the festoon string is IP65 and the matching driver is IP67. Connectors and other components must be checked separately, so the complete system should not be described as IP67 without system-level evidence.

Can a 230V festoon system run for 100 metres?

Applicable WENDADECO 230V festoon families can be configured up to 100 m, but 100 m is not an unconditional installation promise. The final length depends on total lamp wattage, cable size, voltage drop, connection method and site conditions.

Which cable size should I specify for a 230V project?

WENDADECO flat-cable options are 2×1.5 or 2×2.5 mm², while round-cable options are 2×1.0 or 2×1.5 mm². The final selection should be made from the calculated current, run length, voltage drop, mechanical duty and local installation rules.

Does 24V avoid compliance requirements?

No. A 24V output does not remove product-safety, EMC, materials, driver or installation obligations. In the EU, for example, the 24V output is below the Low Voltage Directive’s voltage scope, but the mains driver and other applicable legislation still need to be considered.

Which voltage should a UK, EU or Australian buyer request first?

Ask for 24V first when the exposed string voltage and public access are the main concerns. Ask for 230V first when the project needs a simpler mains layout or a long commercial run, then have the complete design checked against the rules of the installation country or Australian jurisdiction.

Published: 17 October 2026
Author: Sales Manager, WENDADECO